The Best Friends' Gift Baskets

Fill a basket with those items that will best please your friend

Friends build their enduring friendship on a wealth of shared moments and memories. Even when friends don't share all the same likes and dislikes and can be very different personalities, they do know each other's likes and dislikes and know the best things to place in a gift basket to please their friend.

Affirmation Scrolls

Purchase textured paper that looks like old parchment. Cut each sheet in half top to bottom. Give a strip to your friend's other friends as well as to family and others close to your friend. Ask them to write positive memories of your friend or make a list of positive qualities. Have them return their strips to you. Roll up each strip separately. Tie with a ribbon to make each into a scroll. Fill a basket with favorite candies or small treats you know your friend likes. Intersperse the treats with the scrolls. Add a card and a large bow to the basket handle before presenting it to your friend.

Remember When

Write a poem or letter about those memories you share with your friend about listening or dancing to certain music. Share specific memories about movies you attended together or with dates, include poignant, sad and funny episodes. Share about television shows you just had to watch together. Buy DVDs of some of those old movies or television series. Add CDs of music the two of you enjoyed together. Wrap each separately and tuck into a basket. Fold your poem or letter into an envelope. Place into the basket for a very special "Remember When" friend gift basket.

Spa Basket

If your friend loves scented soaps and lotions, put together a selection of your friend's favorite scents in perfume, soap, body wash, lotion, shampoo, etc. Add a book and a selection of special teas or coffees you know your friend would like. Roll up and tie with ribbon a couple of washcloths in your friend's favorite color. Wrap ribbon around the basket and add a bow. Place everything in a bed of tissue paper with a card that says, "Enjoy. Relax. Take Time for You."

Love Language Basket

Everyone has his own way of expressing and receiving love. While some love to receive gifts, others would rather be taken out for a meal or have you do something such as vacuum, fix a stuck window or wash dishes. Others need to hear words of affirmation. You know what most touches the heart of your friend. If your friend loves gifts, fill up the basket with carefully selected items you know she'll like. If her love language is one of service, fill the basket with sealed cards with different colored or decorated envelopes. Every envelope contains a note with a promise to perform a service like take her to see her grandmother, help her wash windows, etc. If your friend needs words to feel special, express on paper how much you appreciate her. Add a picture to the page and frame. Wrap and set it in a basket bed of tissue and chocolates.

References

• Pioneer Thinking: Gift Basket Ideas and Recipes
• The Best Homemade Gift Ideas: Plenty of friend gift ideas from birthdays to 'just because'
• They Deserve It: Homemade Gift for Friends